Africa Newsroom — Bissau, Guinea-Bissau — A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, arrived in Guinea-Bissau on Monday, December 1, 2025, for talks with leaders following the recent military coup.
The delegation, which includes the presidents of Togo, Cape Verde, Senegal, and the ECOWAS Commission chief, aims to mediate and persuade the junta to restore civilian rule and release the contested election results. This mission comes in the wake of Guinea-Bissau’s suspension from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies and its exclusion from all African Union (AU) activities until constitutional order is restored.
The military coup in Guinea-Bissau occurred on November 26, 2025, prior to the announcement of provisional results from presidential and legislative elections. The junta installed Gen. Horta Inta-a for a one-year transition, a move that has been widely condemned by international actors, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has granted protection to opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa at the Nigerian embassy in Bissau.
According to reports, the coup has been met with a strong international response. The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all AU activities, reflecting the regional and international community’s commitment to restoring democracy in the country.
The ECOWAS delegation’s arrival in Guinea-Bissau is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to resolve the political crisis. The delegation’s mission is crucial for the stability of Guinea-Bissau and the broader West African region.
The implications of the coup and the subsequent intervention by ECOWAS are profound. The crisis has raised concerns about the fragility of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau and the potential for further instability in the region. Experts warn that the situation could have a negative impact on the country’s economy and its relationship with international partners.
Source: Africa
